St. Bernard Inshore Fishing with Captain Jace
Looking for some solid inshore action in Louisiana's legendary fishing grounds? Captain Jace knows exactly where the fish are biting in St. Bernard's productive waters. This intimate charter takes just two anglers at a time, so you'll get personal attention and prime fishing spots without the crowd. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or looking to add some hefty black drum to your catch count, these marshes and flats deliver year-round. All your tackle and gear come included – just grab your fishing license and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Louisiana has to offer.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Jace runs a top-rated operation that puts you right where the action is. You'll launch into St. Bernard's maze of marshes, cuts, and shallow flats where speckled trout cruise the grass beds and redfish patrol the shorelines. This isn't a rushed cattle-boat experience – with only two spots available, you'll have room to cast, move around, and actually learn something about reading the water. The captain provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, from live shrimp to artificial lures that match what the fish are hitting. Expect to cover different types of water throughout the day, from deeper channels where the big black drum hang out to skinny flats where flounder lie in wait for an easy meal.
Tactics and Tackle Setup
St. Bernard's inshore fishing calls for versatility, and Captain Jace comes prepared with the right gear for every situation. You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods rigged with circle hooks when using live bait, plus lighter tackle for working soft plastics through the grass. The marsh fishing here is all about reading structure – oyster bars, drop-offs, and grass lines where predator fish set up to ambush baitfish. Depending on conditions, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in super shallow water or bouncing bottom rigs for black drum around deeper structure. The captain adjusts tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that day. Don't worry if you're new to inshore techniques – he'll walk you through everything from setting the drag to working a popping cork.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in these Louisiana waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for an easy meal to swim by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes, with doormat flounder over 20 inches being the prize every angler dreams about. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water, making them more aggressive and easier to target. What makes catching flounder so satisfying is the challenge – they hit soft and you need to give them a second to fully commit before setting the hook. Once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the marsh, with mature fish reaching 30-plus pounds and providing serious pulling power. These fish feed heavily on crabs and oysters, so you'll often find them around oyster reefs and shell bars where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring brings some of the best black drum fishing as they gather in large schools for spawning. The fight from a big drum is all about endurance – they don't jump or make blazing runs, but they'll test your drag system and your arms with their bulldogging power.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with their human-like teeth and incredible precision. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they pick off barnacles and small crabs. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action when they school up in deeper water. Landing a nice sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes – they nibble and tap at your bait before committing, and once they do, you need to set the hook fast before they strip your line.
Speckled trout, or sea trout, are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, providing consistent action and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small fish. Spring and fall offer peak trout fishing, though they bite year-round in these productive waters. What anglers love about trout fishing is the variety – you can catch them on live bait, soft plastics, topwater plugs, or suspended under popping corks. They're also great fighters for their size, often jumping and making strong runs.
Redfish are Louisiana's signature species, with their bronze backs and distinctive black spots making them instantly recognizable. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fights, especially the slot-sized fish that make the best eating. Summer brings sight-fishing opportunities when reds cruise shallow flats and marsh edges, while cooler months find them schooled up in deeper cuts. Bull redfish over 27 inches provide world-class sport fishing, often taking drag-screaming runs that test your tackle and skills. The best part about targeting reds is their willingness to eat – they're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live crab to artificial lures.
Time to Book Your Spot
St. Bernard's inshore waters offer some of Louisiana's most consistent fishing, and Captain Jace's local knowledge puts you on the fish fast. With only two anglers per trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The variety of species means there's always something biting, whether you're after a mess of trout for the dinner table or hoping to tangle with a bull redfish. Remember to grab your Louisiana fishing license before you head out – it's required for anyone 16 and older. Don't wait to secure your dates, especially during peak seasons when the fishing heats up and spots fill fast.